Welcome to the August 2024 edition of Old Concordians' Connect!
We have enjoyed catching up with many of you at the reunions and events already held this year, which you can read about below. There are still many opportunities to connect, including reunions, concerts and the College's CommuniTea event on Friday 13 September, which everyone is welcome to attend!
Happy reading.
The Old Concordians' Association Committee and the Alumni Manager, Sue Kleinig
Sam joined the OCA Committee this year and we thought we’d get to know him a bit better, so we asked him the following questions…
What is great about being an Old Concordian?
One of the best things about...
What is great about being an Old Concordian?
One of the best things about being an Old Concordian is the unexpected encounters with people that lead to the discovery we both went to Concordia. For no other reason than the fact we went to the same school, I have found it is fascinating how quickly trust and a connection is formed. I also met both my wife, Georgia, and business partner, James, at Concordia, so the lifelong bonds have already proven to be invaluable!
Tell us about the Old Concordians' Basketball Club?
I’ve been a part of the Old Concordians' Basketball Club for a couple of years now and it has been a great way for me to reconnect with the College. It is the first real initiative that I’ve been a part of since graduating and I have appreciated the structured excuse to see all my mates again as time often slips by when life gets busy!! As the seasons go on, we have been getting more and more engagement and I feel very optimistic about the future of the Club.
What motivated you to join the OCA Committee?
My family will tell you that I am deeply patriotic about my time at Concordia. Though not always outspoken, I truly cherished my experience at Concordia and when given the opportunity to join the OCA Committee, it was an obvious choice for me! I am eager to contribute to strengthening and building the Concordia community. Even after just a few months, I am thoroughly enjoying my role on the Committee and look forward to making a positive impact.
Edward Blitner Watts was born in southern Arnhem Land in 1961. His bush name is Taiita and he is ...
Edward Blitner Watts was born in southern Arnhem Land in 1961. His bush name is Taiita and he is from the Ngukkurr Community (now called Yugul Mangl) in Naiyarlindji country on the Roper River, approximately 270km southeast of Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Eddie attended Concordia until he was sixteen. When he returned to the north as a young man, he worked as a stockman and general hand on Victoria River Downs. He started painting when he was seven, learning from his grandfather who painted with natural ochres on bark. He says of this time, “My grandfather would be painting on bark and we kids would sit around him and watch him grind the ochres and mix the colours. After a while he would tell us the story for that particular painting and also teach us the songs and dance for that story. When he was in a very good mood, he let us paint the sides of the bark painting. That was my start.”
Eddie has become a well-regarded Aboriginal artist and uses the styles and subject matter of his traditional country in southern Arnhem Land. He maintains the palette of natural ochre colours and he usually opts for the traditional patterning of cross-hatching referred to as ‘rrarrk’.
The Old Concordians’ Association has recently purchased two of Eddie’s artworks, to be presented to the St John’s and St Peters Primary School campuses of Concordia College. The theme of each unique painting is ‘Guardian of the Land, Seas and Animals.’
John Temme (1955) has been intimately involved in Concordia for over 50 years, including a long stint on the Old Concordians' Association Committee. We farewelled John as he stepped down from the Committee this year and thanked him for his years of assistance with dozens of reunions and many other events, such as the Twilight Tea OCA Bars and the ‘Back to Concordia’ weekends. John and Kaaren Temme have also been very generous donors to Concordia and you will see their name on the donor walls in the Nautilus Centre and Fortiter. John’s daughter Karina also attended Concordia and was in the Class of 1995. We asked John to share some thoughts with us.
Where has life taken you since Concordia College?
After leaving Concordia at the end of 1958, I worked in a few clerical jobs for about a year before finishing up with a trustee company, Executor Trustee & Agency Co. Ltd. After five years there, I joined IBM to find out what these new-fangled things called computers were all about. After a very enjoyable 30 years working with IBM in various jobs (mostly to do with mainframe software and at various locations in Australia and overseas), I became a Computer Consultant, working mainly in Canberra with Government Departments on Performance and Capacity Planning projects, as well as a few stints in Saudi Arabia and South East Asia. Since retiring, I’ve been an Adelaide Oval Ambassador, conducting tours at the Oval, and a volunteer with Lutheran Archives and Radio Station 5MBS. I’ve always loved travel and having two children living overseas until recently has given me a good excuse to indulge my passion.
What are your fondest or funniest memories of Concordia?
Concordia was a very different place when I was a student. In 1955 the total enrolment was 212 students, 124 males and 88 females. Most of the students were boarders, with the boys living on campus and the girls living in a hostel on Wattle Street. I was one of the smattering of day students who didn’t live on site. A highlight of each day was the arrival of the ‘crocodile’ – the girls who had walked in line from the hostel. Another major difference was the presence of the Seminary students – men who were training to become Lutheran pastors. They had another two years of study after the equivalent of Year 12.
How has Concordia helped shape your life?
As well as providing me with a well-rounded secular education, Concordia also strengthened my Christian faith, through morning devotions in the Chapel (now The Suaviter) and the continuing Christian emphasis in all the subjects.
You have supported Concordia as it has grown and developed; what do you think have been the most important advancements?
I’m not sure how to rank the importance, but certainly some of the notable developments have been the separation of the Seminary, which eventually led to the cessation of boarding, the growth in enrolments to the current level of about 1,500, the incorporation of St John’s and St Peters campuses and the continuous building program, which has recently resulted in the new Gymnasium, something which was talked about even when I was a student!
What advice would you give to the students of today?
Enjoy your time at Concordia and make use of the outstanding facilities that have been provided. Do your best and be kind to each other.
The Old Concordians financially support the setup and running costs of our sports clubs. If you are interested in starting a sports club or special interest group for Old Concordians, we encourage you to contact the Alumni Manager, Sue Kleinig, via email or phone 08 8291 9339 for details about how we can help.
Basketball Club
The Old Concordians' Basketball Club is the second Lutheran sports basketball-based club in the South Australian Church Basketball Association (SACBA) and plays on Saturday afternoons in venues across central and southern Adelaide.
Old Concordians play in our two men's teams and a women's team, representing the College. We also have a men's team representing the College Monday night in the local competition at Springbank.
Our men’s teams in Division 7/8 and 9/10 have started the season in fifth position, while our women remain top of the table after finishing runner-up in Summer 2023/2024. Our Monday-night men's team is fifth in the MSBL at Springbank. Thanks to team managers George Smith, Josh Gordon, Chelsea Gilbertson and Corey Wilson along with Sam Kirkwood (2017) for keeping these teams going and making things flow for the Old Concordian teams.
We are looking to grow the Club's membership base and invite players of all ability. We would also like to hear from potential sponsors who may be keen to get behind a club in that provides friendly, inclusive and community connection in the SACBA.
Please email the Alumni Manager if you'd like to get involved in the next summer season (October 2024 - April 2025) or winter season (May - September 2025).
Cricket Club
The Old Concordians’ Cricket Club didn’t add any silverware this season, but we did see some great development from our young brigade while the old guard still held their own as well. The LO3s finished top of the ladder, earning the right to host a home final, where they didn’t manage to beat Sacred Heart Old Collegians. The fourth placed LO5s faced off against Payneham at Devitt Oval for their final, but the final result unfortunately didn't go our way. Well done to the teams for such a strong season, which was topped off by our annual awards night at The Earl of Leister - valued sponsor of the Club.
See you for Round 1 on Saturday 12 October! New members are very welcome. Please email the Club for more information and to get involved.
Netball Club
The Old Concordians’ Netball Club is looking forward to starting up again for the 2024/25 summer season. Last season, there were four Old Concordian teams competing in the SA Uniiting Church Netball Association (SAUCNA) Wednesday-night competition, and the Club is excited for some new additions this year as teams get ready to start up again in early October. Old Concordians of any age or playing ability are welcome to join and/or start their own team. Please note that registrations are due in August. For any further information, feel free to contact Chrissy Barnard (2003).
Pedal Prix (Old Concordians Racing)
The Old Concordians Racing team recently completed Race 3 for the 2024 series. The race event was held over three days at Victoria Park Racecourse, with the junior primary teams on the Friday, community teams on the Saturday and senior schools on the Sunday. The three-day spread assists for the reduction of trikes and less traffic on the track, making it easier for teams to push themselves faster. It was a cold start to the day and the first year to move from a six-hour race to seven hours.
We had a small squad with a total of 11 riders and we knew both teams had to knuckle down and push themselves for longer riding stints. Both teams started off in great positions with a total of 71 trikes competing.
Final results had Raptor (Under 21s) finish seventh in its category and Smarty (Open category) finish 28th in its category. Unfortunately, Smarty got hit and rolled over which cost them a couple of laps and several positions, but that’s racing!
Our next race is the first weekend in August at The Bend Motorsport Park, for an eight-hour race.
The OCR team is always looking for more people to ride. If you are wanting to have a go and see if you like it, please contact the Alumni Manager for more information.
Soccer Club
The Old Concordians' Soccer Club teams have reached the halfway point of the 2024 season in strong positions.
With both A and B teams sitting on the top of the Division 2 ladder, a return to Division 1 looks very achievable. The C team, meanwhile, is currently sitting in second place behind a strong Rostrevor College side.
This season has been exceptional both on and off the field with plenty of goals scored and many great social events still to come in the social calendar.
The Old Concordians' Volleyball Team has been playing in a competition held in Concordia’s new gym, which has been a great success. It has also been fantastic to have past players returning to play in the fantastic new gym and facilities at Concordia. We look forward to the coming season. For more information, contact the Alumni Manager.
In 1905, when Concordia opened in the current Highgate campus after moving from the Murtoa campus in Victoria, students were very keen to have the opportunity to get involved in organised sport.
Here we see a photo of the 1905 tennis teams. Considering there were only 26 students at the College that year, this group represented a fair number of them!
Old Concordians are warmly invited to join us at CommuniTea, a springtime celebration for the entire College community. Get ready for an evening filled with fun, friends, and unforgettable memories - a spectacular celebration for all ages.
Date: Friday 13 September
Time: 3.30-7.00pm
Location: Concordia College Main Oval, Winchester Street, Highgate
✨ Highlights
Live music
Food trucks with a plethora of cuisines
Visit our CommuniTea bar, hosted by the Old Concordian's Association in the new Fortiter Gymnasium
Games and amusements for the whole family (including horizontal bungee, climbing wall, petting zoo, bouncy castles, face painting and more)
🎢 Affordable Amusement Passes
For just $23, enjoy unlimited access to our amazing amusements - there's something for everyone.
🛒 Apply to Host a Creative Market Stall
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from community members who would like to host their own creative market stall at CommuniTea. We welcome arts, crafts, handmade items, clothing, accessories, jewellery, bric-a-brac, art, books… the list goes on. We will provide the trestle tables and gather the potential customers, you do the rest!
10% of the profits from each stall will go to Concordia College, so you will be helping our school while selling your wares.
Are you a trained barista looking for some Saturday morning work in the Highgate area? If so, we have an opportunity for you!
Our Fortiter café is open on most Saturday mornings while sport is occurring on the Oval, the courts and in our Gym. Chartwells (our Café managers) are seeking a trained barista to work in the café to serve delicious beverages to members of the community who are on site for sporting matches.
Much of what we see and experience at Concordia today has been made possible through the generosity and belief of our Old Concordian community. We are proud of this enduring spirit and have once again proven that by working together we can achieve outstanding outcomes for our students.
We are especially thankful for the way in which we saw our Old Concordians come together and give generously to our June 2024 Giving Day.
We love hearing from Old Concordians of all ages, both near and far, so please do get in touch to share stories, milestones and any news, or simply to update your contact details.
Interested in joining the Old Concordians’ Association Committee? We would love to hear from you! Please contact the Alumni Manager, Sue Kleinig, for more information,
